Thursday, December 18, 2014

Moving During The Holidays

Moving can be stressful, and this time of year can be stressful; put them together, and you've got a lot on your plate. But that doesn't mean you should be overwhelmed or cancel plans! With the right plan and positive attitude, you can ring in 2015 all moved in to your new home.

To avoid emotional distress, be sure to pack the belongings that mean the most to you first; pack the lights and holiday decorations in the last box. If you have children in your family, assure them that moving into a new house doesn't mean the holidays are canceled.

If a big holiday meal is important to your family, you can uphold traditions by having the big feast at another relative's house. Bringing a tin of festive cookies or a bottle of sparkling wine is a warm gesture that doesn't entail stressing over preparing an elaborate meal. Of course, you always have the option to postpone moving in the middle of the festivities. Pack up and leave the house in containers or a storage facility while you relax and enjoy your holidays.

Happy moving, and happy holidays from all of us here at the Bulwark Moving Company!

Friday, December 12, 2014

Messy Movers: How Dishonest Moving Companies Scam Unsuspecting Customers




You might have heard a horror story from a friend or family member about a bad moving experience, or a good move gone wrong when the bill arrives afterward. The moving industry as a whole has a spotty reputation due to scam tactics, but you don't have to become a victim of shady movers!

Congratulations, you found a super low quote online on your upcoming move. The bulk of your move is priced by the pound. You're not sure how much your furniture weighs exactly, but you trust the company will take care of you. The contract is signed, your furniture is all loaded into the truck, and now you're presented with the final cost-- but it's more than double what they quoted you. Where did all these charges come from? Now, they're saying if you don't pay the unexpected fees, they'll lock up the truck and take your belongings with them. This is called the Bait and Switch.

The contract Movers are even advertising their companies without real licenses! Being pulled over and caught mid-move without a valid business license means the truck gets impounded-- along with all of YOUR belongings. Another thing dishonest companies love to do is change their names once they've been blacklisted for dirty work. Make sure to do your research before settling on a company. They may not be who they say they are.

All this information about moving scammers is enough to make you consider doing it yourself with a pickup truck, but even DIY has its setbacks. Far too often, pricing quotes on rental trucks don't include insurance on the vehicle or furniture. How will you know which size truck to rent? The associates leasing you the truck aren't trained to direct you to the vehicle best fit for the job, as their work isn't geared towards moving large pieces of furniture. Don't forget about the price of diesel, and several other hidden surcharges that aren't mentioned until you return the vehicle, including but not limited to, refueling and cleaning charges.

And remember: Bulwark Moving has no hidden fees or upcharges-- none. Don't fall for these moving company tricks, and you'll be well on your way to your new home.


To read more about moving companies, click here. To read about common moving scams, click here, and for more about the scams we uncovered, click here.